5 Questions You Have About Adoption But Are Too Scared to Ask

There are many steps in the adoption process: paperwork, meetings, background checks, medical checks, more paperwork, and then more meetings. International adoption often requires more than one visit which requires additional time and finances. However, your social worker is there to help you complete the steps in your adoption process.

Before our daughter’s adoption, we had a disruption: the expectant mother we were matched with decided to parent her child. While you know that is always a possibility, you will be faced with an empty nursery and it will feel like the death of your child. There may be setbacks in your adoption and you may question how many setbacks you can endure. Believe me, I know how hard the wait is, but have faith and hope that it will happen.

No matter the age of the child, he or she will experience a loss. Even infants adopted as newborns experience a sense of loss. But older children in orphanages or foster care most likely will have experienced more loss or trauma, so you may wonder if your child will be able to bond with you. There are many resources available to help you with the bonding experience. It is important to remember that bonding is a lifelong process and will not happen overnight.

Ideally, everyone who adopts has a loving support system and a family who will open their hearts and arms to any child. But of course, we don’t live in an ideal world. But remember, you have been fortunate to have a child placed with you, a child that is now your child and he or she comes first in getting your unconditional love and support. Also, if needed, there are many adoption support groups that you can join, either in person or online.